Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Reduced public tolerance level in India..where are we heading?

During last few months there is alarming increase in physical and verbal attacks on people expressing disagreement with certain political ideology specially against BJP (in real as well as cyber world). Any difference of opinion or alternate view is not welcomed, any negative comment is not taken in right spirit, even constructive criticism is ridiculed, attacked for no reason. There are organized efforts not to allow discussion on any topic which raises some uncomfortable questions rather every attempt is made to shoot the messenger. Recent physical and verbal assault of some people opposing BJP's policies are example of such extreme intolerant behavior. There are many people who even justify these actions, they try to justify these violent physical and verbal assaults by using whatever reasoning they can. This attitude is not only dangerous but also harmful for any developing or civilized society, it is specially bad for a country like India which is aiming to become super power or a developed nation in near future. Without free and fearless society it will be impossible to achieve real development and progress. Without open and fair exchange of thoughts, debates on every issue or subject it is impossible to become a really developed nation.

These type of incidents have become very common during this election season, specially supporters of BJP are very aggressive in attacking people who oppose their ideology or question their leader (Mr. Modi). But surprisingly there is no strong action taken from them to curb these type of incidents, they do condemn such incidents if issue gets too much media attention but no apology is offered or warning is issued to perpetrators not to repeat such mistakes. May be they think this is the real USP of their campaign as this is not the first time such things are happening from their side and lack of proper response raises serious doubts about their intentions to curb these incidents. This time I myself experienced such verbal attacks on few occasions on social networking forums like Facebook, some of my comments questioning BJP's agenda or Mr. Modi's performance as CM in Gujarat received some very hateful comments from some BJP supporters, they used derogatory language, called me with various names (sickular, pseudo intellectual, communist, AAPtard, etc.), their tone was threatening and insulting. I deleted many of these comments from my wall after warning them not to use such language. I deleted these things because I don't want such filth to stay on my Facebook wall, but their tone was alarming and threatening. I stopped engaging in such type of discussions as I realized futility of engaging in such useless conversations but this phenomena was quite evident this time. Then I read many reports in media about many such attacks in cyber world and even many physical attacks on people. Fortunately no one was seriously injured in those attacks but occurrence of such incidents is very alarming. Normally such extreme emotions are observed during discussion about religion or some sensitive issue, but there also people don't abuse each other so easily. In past none of political discussions I was involved reached to threatening or derogatory level, except for few instances during last month or so. This is very organized effort to silence opponents of particular ideology.

Tolerance and patience are very necessary attributes of any developed civilized society. Without free and fair discussion about various topics and issues we can not find proper solutions to all our problems. Difference of opinion should not only be tolerated but also be encouraged, it's always good to see both sides of any issue before making any conclusions. Role of opposition is very crucial and important in any functioning democracy. Violence in any form except for self defense should not be encouraged in any civil society, everyone should have right to express their opinion, share their ideas. People involved in such acts of violence should be booked and punished for violating right of freedom of expression of other people. True democratic society debates over issues, chooses path of discussion and peace over violence to solve political problems or to settle difference of opinion. When such people don't get punished by law, don't get reprimanded by their party top leaders they get encouraged to repeat such acts. Top leaders don't engage in any such acts, they are not affected by these things but their silence and intentional ignorance of such acts is considered as mute approval. If such incidents are so rampant before the elections then people have every reason to be concerned about what will happen if such parties (BJP in this case) win the elections. Such attacks are especially dangerous for minorities and people who chose to voice disagreement against majority. Bullying in any shape or form is wrong, every one in society should be treated with equal dignity and respect. I hope that better sense prevails among people and they show more mature behavior, I hope that political leadership in respective parties take all necessary steps so that their party workers and followers don't engage in any such acts in future. There is serious concern and worry that such attacks may increase if BJP and its allies come in power in center, I hope these concerns and worried don't become reality. I want them to prove me wrong and demonstrate that no matter which party forms government difference of opinion, alternate view is always welcomed and freedom of expression won't be curbed for anyone.

2 comments:

Actually he is not contesting from my constituency in in India, I would have voted for clean and honest candidate from my constituency no matter from which party he or she is contesting. I would have definitely voted for Arvind if he is the cleanest and best option among all. It all depends who all are there to choose from. Thanks for your comment...